The Psychology of your 20s

In many ways, sibling rivalry is an integral part of growing up in a multiple-child household – the arguments, the jealousy, the competition. But as we explore in this episode, those sibling dynamics often don’t stop in childhood, but actually following us into our 20s and adulthood, shaping how we see ourselves, relate to our families, and how we carry old roles.
We explore:
• Why a level of rivalry is developmentally expected
• The evolutionary perspective on resource competition
• The role of birth order and family roles
• How sibling rivalry can transpire in adulthood
• How to begin acknowledging and rewriting old roles
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
Our favourite sources:
https://prevention.psu.edu/news/the-psychology-behind-sibling-rivalry/
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10567-011-0104-5
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0192513X211064876
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10826-016-0429-2
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There comes a point in all of our lives where we realise we've outgrown who we used to be. Sometimes it happens all at once, due to a breakup, a move, a loss, or a major life change. Other times (most of the time), it's much quieter. As painful as that can feel, it's also one of the clearest signs that you're evolving.
In this episode, we explore the psychology of outgrowing your old life, why change can feel so much like grief, and how to let go of the past without fearing the future.
We explore:
The psychology of liminality and the space between who you were and who you're becoming
The seven stages of outgrowing your old life
Why we cling to the past through nostalgia, the endowment effect and status quo bias
When you know a chapter is over
How to embrace change and build a future you're excited to grow into
Happy listening!
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

TW: Discussions of suicide.
This week, I'm joined by mental health campaigner Ben West for one of the most moving conversations we've ever had on the show. At 18, Ben lost his brother to suicide. He has taken that experience and decided to change the lives of thousands, if not millions with his 'Reasons to Stay' campaign.
In this episode we discuss:
Why grief changes over time
How to find purpose after unimaginable heartbreak
The psychology of hope and why strangers can save lives
What supporting someone through suicidal thoughts actually looks like
Ben's incredible initiative, Reasons to Stay, and the millions of people it's already reached
His two personal rules for protecting his own mental health
Why healing isn't about 'moving on' but learning to carry what you've lost
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Preorder Ben's book: HERE
Follow Ben: HERE
If you need help, it is available. You are NEVER alone. Please find some further resources HERE.
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Giving you all an update on my life and my future in London.
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us feel that our attention spans are nothing like they used to be. So many of us can recall a time when we would read books for hours with ease, concentrate for hours, focus on a movie without going on our phone. But not any more.
In this episode, we unpack the psychology behind our dwindling attention spans, via the consumption of endless content, task switching, lack of sleep and more. But there’s hope - we also look at practical ways that we can all work on retraining our brains towards healthier, more sustainable and enjoyable focus.
We unpack:
• Why our attention spans have been eroded, particularly over the last 20 years
• How social media is designed to be like a slot machine
• The impact of ‘sleep debt’ and our attention spans
• Why the ‘switch-cost effect’ depletes our focus all the time
• How we can retrain our brains to focus
Watch on Netflix: HERE
Follow Jemma on Instagram: @jemmasbeg
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @thatpsychologypodcast
Subscribe on Substack: @thepsychologyofyour20s
For business: psychologyofyour20s@gmail.com
Our favourite sources:
https://time.com/6302294/why-you-cant-focus-anymore-and-what-to-do-about-it/
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2022/jan/02/attention-span-focus-screens-apps-smartphones-social-media
https://thesciencesurvey.com/editorial/2024/02/12/the-problem-with-your-attention-span/
The Psychology of your 20s is not a substitute for professional mental health help. If you are struggling, distressed or require personalised advice, please reach out to your doctor or a licensed psychologist.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.